Steam turbine



Sept. 14, 1937. w. J.'GYGER 2,093,356

STEAM TURBINE Filed Dec. 51, 1955 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTY Sept. 14, 1937. w. J. GYGER STEAM TURBINE Filed Dec. 31, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I "jA/VEA/TOR WALTER J GYGEK Q N 5 g lllllllllllllllllllllIIIIIIIIIIHIIHIIllllllllllllllllllllll w. J. GYGER STEAM TURBINE Sept. 14, 1937.

Filed Dec 51, 1935 s Shets-Sheet s WALTER J. GYGER QK-WM ATTK Patented Sept. 14, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STEAlVI TURBINE one-third to Edward A. Evers, Wilmette, Ill.

Application December 31, 1935, Serial No. 56,995

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in steam turbines.

It is an object of this invention to provide steam turbines so designed and constructed as to develop the largest possible mean effective horsepower per pound of steam utilized.

A further object is to provide prime movers of the character designated having a defined steam expansion course or channel designed to make available to the fullest extent the energy of expansion of the steam within each stage of the turbine for efiecting rotation of the rotor of each stage. A further object is to provide steam turbines wherein the pressure of the steam upon the rotor 0r rotors in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of said rotors is substantially equalized so that longitudinal thrust upon the shaft upon which said rotors are mounted is reduced to a mmimum.

A further object is to provide steam turbines which dispense with bladed stators and in which the steam is unimpededly and continuously routed without abrupt directional change through the various stages of the turbines in an increasing expansion curve.

A further object is to provide steam turbines having defined steam expansion courses sealed to confine the maximum amount of steam to such courses and constructed with one or more directional plates and/or velocity plates for directing steam during expansion against the blades of the rotors and for providing a restricted orifice near the exhaust port from one stage to another to obtain an increase in velocity without impedi- 'ment to or directional change of the flow of steam.

A further object is to provide steam turbines in which the amount of evaporation of water in the steam boiler per horsepower delivered by the turbines shall be substantially less than heretofore obtainable.

Other objects of the invention will become clear as the description thereof proceeds.

In the drawings forming part of this specification:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a three-rotor turbine embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is an end View of the turbine illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a vertical section illustrating a 55 modified form of the invention.

Figure 5 is a horizontal section taken on line 55 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a graphic representation of a steam expansion course showing the continuous unimpeded flow of steam from the steam inlet port to 5 the discharge port of each stage of a turbine.

Figure '7 is a graphic illustration of the development in a single plane of the expansion course of the steam, as shown in Figure 6 of the drawings, illustrating additionally the disposition of directional and velocity plates in the steam course.

Figure 8 is a vertical section corresponding to Figure 3 showing a further modified embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9 is a vertical section taken on line 99 of Figure 3.

Figure 10 is a vertical section taken on line Ill-ll] of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a vertical section taken on line II-Il of Figure 9. 20

Figure 12 is a horizontal section taken on line |2--l2 of Figure 9.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figures 1, 2, 3, 5 and 9 to 12 inclusive, there is illustrated one preferred embodiment of applicants invention. The steam turbine illustrated in these figures of the drawing is designated in its entirety by the numeral ll]. As illustrated, the turbine Ill is formed of two end sections II and I2 and two intermediate sections [3 and M. The end sections II and I2 are provided with circular flanges l5 and I6, respectively, which are secured as by means of bolts I1 and I8 to abutting circular flanges I9 and 20 provided respectively on the intermediate turbine sections l3 and M. The latter sections are provided with additional circular flanges 2| and 22 respectively, which are arranged in abutting relationship and secured together as by means of bolts 23. It is to be understood that while the embodiment of the turbine considered has three stages, the principle thereof is. capable of embodiment in any desired number of stages consonant with practical considerations.

Each of the turbine sections II to [4 inclusive is substantially solid, as illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings. These sections are provided with alined bores 24, 25, 26 and 21 which constitute the bearings for a shaft. Each end turbine section II and I2 is formed with a steam channel designated in the case of the end sec-. tion II by the numeral 28 and for the end section l2 by the numeral 29. Each intermediate turbine section is provided with two steam channels extending inwardly from the opposed turbine will be apparent.

faces of said sections. The channels formed in the intermediate section i3 are designated by the numerals 38 and 3i respectively, While the steam channels formed in the intermediate section i 4 are designated by the numerals 32 and 33 respectively.

The character of each of the steam channels will best be understood from a consideration of Figures 9 to 12 inclusive. The inlet port of a steam channel is indicated at 34 in Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings. From this inlet port the steam channel proceeds in a curved path corresponding to the curved rotors hereinafter referred to, to the exhaust port 35. It will be seen from the sectional views shown in Figures 10, 11 and 12 that as the steam channel proceeds from the inlet port 34 to the exhaust port 35 a gradual increase in the depth of said channelthat is, in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotors, occurs. This increase in depth is indicated by the inner wall 36 of each steam channel and proceeds preferably in the gradual degree from the inlet port to the exhaust port of each steam channel.

In addition to the steam channels formed in the opposing sides or faces of the turbine sections, these sections are offset in order to provide chamberswithin Which rotors 37, 38 and 39 are received. These rotors are mounted upon a shaft it journaled within the respective bores 24 to 27 inclusive formed in the turbine sections. The rotors are fastened upon the shaft 48 in any desired manner, as by pins or keys, so as to insure rotation of the rotors with the shaft.

It is'essential in the utilization of the principle of applicants invention that each steam course be sealed so as to reduce the escape of steam therefrom to the least amount possible. To this end the periphery of each of the rotors is given a sealing fit with the contiguous portions of the turbine sections, as indicated at 4|. Additionally, a sealing fit is provided between the opposed faces of the turbine sections and the contiguous faces of the rotors, as indicated at 42. The joints between the turbine sections will, of course, be made as steam-tight as possible. By this construction it will be apparent that the steam which enters any steam channel will be confined thereto to the greatest degree within practical limits so that said steam cannot escape from said channels and enter the chambers in which the rotors are disposed. It will be apparent from Figure 5 of the drawings that each steam channel communicates only with the blades 43 provided on the rotors. It is to be observed that a sealing fit, as far as practicable, will also be had between the shaft 49 and its bearings.

It is believed from the foregoing description that the principle and mode of operation of the In the embodiment of the invention considered, referring particularly to Figure 3 of the drawings, entering steam is by-passed so as to strike against the blades 53 provided on both faces of rotor 38. The steam is conducted to inlet ports 34. From these inlet ports the steam continues through the steam channels 3| and 32 where, by virtue of the increase in section of said channels as hereinabove explained, said steam expands continuously and unimpededlyto the exhaust ports 35. During the passage of the steam through the expansion channels 31 and 32 it will be apparent that such steam is substantially confined to said channels so that at all points along said channel said'steam will deliver its energy of expansion to the rotor blades 43. In this manner full advantage of the force of expansion of the steam is availed of.

From the first stage, the steam passes through the exhaust ports 35 into the adjacent stages of the turbine. It will be apparent from Figure 3 of the drawings that the steam passing from the exhaust port 35 on the right of the rotor 38 operates upon the rotor 39, while the steam passing through the exhaust port 35 on the left of the. rotor 38 operates upon the rotor 31. In this connection the exhaust ports 35 in turn become inlet ports for the adjacent stages of the turbine. In the embodiment considered the steam from the first stagev passes into manifolds 44 and from these manifolds to the opposite faces of the rotors 3i and 39. These rotors, as in the case of the rotor 38, are provided with blades 43 on opposite. faces thereof. The steam leaving the first stage of the turbine then expands and delivers its energy to the rotors 31 and 39 along the steam courses 28 and 30 and 29 and 33 in the same manner as described in connection with the steam channels 3| and 32. From these steam channels 28 and 30 and 29 and 33 the steam may pass out of the exhaust ports 45 into the atmosphere or to a condenser or, if further compounding of the turbine is desired, this steam may pass into additional stages of the turbine. It will be apparent, of course, that instead of the manifold 44, the steam from the exhaust ports 35 may strike directly against the adjacent faces of the rotors 31 and 39 and, in addition thereto, pass around to the blades on the opposite faces of said rotors.

The principle of the invention involved is graphically illustrated in Figures 6 and '7. In Figure 6 a gradually increasing steam channel is indicated by the letter A, said channel increasing from the inlet port B to the exhaust port C. This channel is sealed against the escape of steam, as indicated at D. During the expansion of the steam it is constantly effective against the blade of a rotor, indicated generally at E.

The course of the steam is developed in a single plane in Figure 7 of the drawings. In this figure the blades are shown at E and the steam channels at A, the inlet ports for which are shown at B. It will be readily apparent that there is a gradual expansion of the steam in each stage and also from stage to stage of the turbine. In addition, Figure 7 illustrates how directional and velocity plates may be utilized to direct the expanding steam against the blades of the rotors and to provide a restricted opening adjacent the discharge port of a stage in order to provide for an increase in velocity of the steam entering an adjacent stage. The directional members are indicated at 46 and are so disposed as not to impede the uniform flow of steam through the expansion channel. These directional members are preferably in the form of thin plates which may be secured within the steam channels in any desired manner. The velocity plates 4'! are also preferably formed of thin plates so as not to impede the movement of the steam and from their position provide restricted orifices for the purpose indicated. The number of directional members and velocity plates to be utilized in each stage of a turbine is determined, by the size and the operating conditions of the turbine.

A modified form of the invention is illustrated in Figure 4. of the drawings. The initial rotor 48 is provided with blades 49 on the opposite faces of the rotor. Steam enters through inlet openings 50 on' opposite sides of the rotor 48 and then passes through the expansion channels .51 on opposite sides of the rotor. Directional members 46 and velocity plates 41 are provided in the expansion channels 50. In addition thereto, the turbine sections 52 are provided with additional steam inlet ports 53, by means of which live steam may be injected into the expansion channels to serve as boosters for the rotor, if desired. Steam from the expansion channels exhausts at 54, which provides the inlet ports for the expansion channels 55. The steam in the expansion channels 55 impinges against the blades 56 of the rotors 5'! disposed on opposite sides of the rotor 48, it being observed that in this embodiment of the invention the rotors 51 are provided with blades on one face only. In its passage through the expansion channels 55, the steam will be directed against the blades by means of the directional members and velocity plates 46 and 4'! and will exhaust through the exhaust ports 58.

The modification of the invention illustrated in Figure 8 of the drawings is substantially similar to that shown in Figure 3 with the exception that the end rotors 59 are provided with blades on one face only. In addition, steam from the exhaust ports fill comes into direct contact with the blades of the rotors 59 instead of being directed into manifolds, as in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 3 of the drawings.

It is believed to be clear from the foregoing description that the objects of the instant invention are attained by the illustrated structure. By confining steam to a specified course which is sealed against escape of such steam, the energy thereof is utilized t the fullest extent so that the largest I mean effective horespower is obtained from the turbine. The expansion of the steam may readily be controlled by a proper design of the steam channel. Stators are dispensed with so that unimpeded flow of steam is obtained. While in the embodiments of the invention illustrated sealing conditions are obtained by the sections of the turbines themselves by reason of accurate machining of associated parts, it will readily be apparent that seal rings or plates may also be utilized to confine the steam to the prescribed channels or courses. Moreover, the course of the steam utilized need not necessarily proceed from a rotor positioned in the relationship shown to the rotor 38 but either of the rotors 31 or 39 may as well constitute the initial rotor so that the exhaust ports 45 become inlet ports and the inlet ports 34 then become exhaust ports. As indicated hereinbefore, the principle of the invention does not limit the number of stages which may be utilized. Furthermore, the arrangement of the rotors and the passage along the prescribed steam courses from stage to stage of the turbine provides for an equalization of pressure upon the rotors so that thrust upon the shaft upon which the rotors are mounted is substantially eliminated.

It will be apparent that numerous changes and modifications of the details of the invention will be clear to those skilled in the art. It is intended, therefore, that all such modifications and changes be comprehended within this invention, which is to be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In a steam turbine, a sealed rotor, blades on said rotor, a sealed shaft journaled in said turbine and rotatable with said rotor, a sealed substantially smooth channel having inlet and exhaust steam ports, said channel being disposed substantially parallel to the path of rotation. of said rotor and progressively increasing in cross section from the inlet port to the exhaust port, the side of said channel adjacent to saidblade's being open, said channel providing for unimpeded continuous steam expansion and application of sion in a direction parallelv to the axis of'said shaft from the inlet port to the exhaust port,

the side of said channeladjacent to said blades.

being open, said channel providing for unimpeded continuous steam expansion and application of the energy of expansion to said rotor,,

blades.

3. A compound steam turbine comprising a plurality of spaced rotors, blades on each rotor, a shaft, said rotors being mounted upon said shaft for rotation therewith, a sealed curved, unimpeded steam expansion channel communicating only with the blades of said rotors, said channel increasing progressively in cross section from the inlet port of the first stage of said turbine to the exhaust port of the last stage thereof, the exhaust port of a preceding stage comprising the inlet port of a succeeding stage, and one or more angularly disposed directional members in the expansion channel of each stage for the purpose set forth, and means in the expansion channel of each stage except the last for providing a restricted orifice adjacent to the exhaust port, said means being disposed at an angle in said expansion channels to avoid impeding the flow of steam.

4. A compound turbine comprising a plurality of rotors, blades on said rotors, a shaft, said rotors being mounted upon said shaft for rotation therewith, a curved sealed steam expansion channel of progressively increasing cross section contiguous to each side of each rotor communieating in opposed relationship only with the blades of the corresponding rotor, each steam channel having an inlet port and an exhaust port, the exhaust port of a preceding stage comprising the inlet port of a next succeeding stage, the expansion channel on oneside of the rotor of one stage communicating with the expansion channels on opposite sides of the rotor of the next succeeding stage on one side of said one stage and the expansion channel on the opposite side of the rotor of said one stage communicating with the expansion channels on opposite sides of the rotor of the next succeeding stage on the opposite side of said one stage.

5. A multiple stage turbine comprising a pluralty of stators and rotors, blades on said rotors, a shaft journalled in said stators, said rotors being fastened upon said shaft, a substantially smooth, sealed steam course communicating with said blades, the path of said steam course within each stage being at substantially a right angle to the axis of rotation of said shaft, said steam course being of progressively increasing crosssection Within each stage and from the inlet port to the exhaust port thereof.

6. A multiple stage turbine comprising a plurality of stators and rotors, blades on the sides of said rotors, a shaft journalled in said stators, said rotors being fastened upon said shaft, a

substantially smooth, sealed steam channel having anopen side communicating with said blades, the sides and circumference of said rotors having sealing fit with said stators, said steam channel increasing in dimension progressively in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of said shaft for each stage of said turbine and from inlet port to exhaust port of said turbine.

7. A compound turbine comprising a plurality of rotors, blades on said rotors, a substantially unimpeded steam channel, said channel being substantially sealed to confine the steam therein and increasing progressively in cross section from inlet port to exhaust port ofsaid turbine, said steam channel Within each stage of said turbine communicating only with the blades of the rotor .of said stage whereby unimpeded continuous steam expansion and application of the energy of expansion to said rotor blades is obtained.

- 8. A compound turbine comprising a plurality of rotors and stators, a series of blades on each side of said stators, a substantially unimpeded steam channel for each series of blades formed in said stators, said channels being substantially sealed to confine the steam therein and increasing progressively in cross section from inlet port to exhaust port of said turbine,. said steam channels within each stage of said turbine communieating only with the series of blades of the rotor of said stage whereby unimpeded continuous steam expansion and application of the energy .of expansion to said series of rotor blades is obtained, said energy of expansion being applied simultaneously to the series of blades on the sides of each rotor.

9. A steam turbine comprising a rotor, blades on said rotor, a curved, substantially unimpeded steam expansion channel of progressively in-' d5 creasing cross section, sa1d channel being sub- 

